Facsimile and static presentation processing – Facsimile – Picture signal generator
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-31
2003-11-25
Coles, Edward (Department: 2622)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Facsimile
Picture signal generator
C358S475000, C358S494000, C358S497000, C358S482000, C358S483000, C358S471000, C250S208100, C250S235000, C250S236000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06654149
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to scanners, in particular to scanners for films.
(2) Description of the Related Art
A scanner for films generally has two modules: the light source module and the optical module. The light source module includes the light source and a carriage for the light source. The optical module is for processing the optical image signal and includes a frame and reflecting mirrors. In conventional scanners for slides, transparencies, photographic film negatives, X-ray films, etc., the light source module and the optical module are two separate entities. The light source module is fixed over the transparent scanning window and the protection window. The optical module is placed underneath the transparent scan window and the protection window. The protection window protects the light source and presses the film document against the scan window. The light source is mounted on the carriage and slides along a rail. The lowest point of the light source module must clear the protection window by a certain distance to allow for structural variations. A typical minimum clearance is 1.5 mm. Because of this 1.5 mm clearance, the light source cannot be in intimate contact with the protection window and the light source intensity is weakened.
FIG. 1
shows a prior art optical system of a scanner for films. A light source
10
is mounted on a base
12
which is attached to a carriage
17
. The carriage can slide along a rail
14
. The light source
10
emits a light beam
15
through a protection window
16
which is used to press a film document (not shown) against a scanning window
18
. The light beam transmitted past the scanning window
18
is incident on an optical module
11
, which has mirrors for further processing the optical signals. The base
12
has a light source
10
which is customarily softened with translucent glass placed underneath the base
12
. The light beam emitted from the light source
10
passes through the protective window
16
to scan the film document placed over the scan window
18
. The light beam now contains optical signals for incidence on the first mirror
13
of the optical module
11
.
FIG. 2
shows another side view of FIG.
1
. The carriage
17
supports a guide rod
14
on its right side and is attached to a module
12
for housing a light source
10
along its length. The carriage
17
slides along the guide
14
. Underneath the light source module
12
is the protection window
16
and the scan window
18
on which a film document (not shown) is placed. Below the scan window
18
is the optical module
11
.
FIG. 9
shows another prior art scanning system for film documents. The carriage
27
also functions as the support for the light source
10
, which is hanging uncovered directly without a housing as shown in
FIG. 10
, and is capable for sliding along the guide rail
14
. Underneath the protection window
26
is the scan window
18
. The light beam
15
transmits through the protection window
26
, the film document (not shown) and the scan window
18
to reach the optical module
11
. The scan signal is reflected by the mirror
13
for further signal processing. The closest point between the lowest point of the light source
10
and the surface of the protection window
26
is indicated by the distance
284
.
Due to manufacturing variations in either the structure of
FIG. 1
or
FIG. 9
, the dimensions of different components may fluctuate somewhat. To allow for such fluctuations, the common practice is to provide a clearance
184
in
FIG. 1 and 284
in
FIG. 9
of at least 1.5 mm between the lowest point of the light source
10
and the protection window
16
to avoid rubbing the light source
10
against the protection window
16
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of this invention is to increase the light intensity of the scanner. Another object of this invention is to place the light source module as close to the optical module as possible. These objects are achieved by pushing the light source module against the optical module by means of spring action or by gravity. Separation between the light source module and the protection window pressing the document to be scanned is minimized to increase light intensity by inserting low friction material between the light source module and the protection window.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5610731 (1997-03-01), Itoh
patent: 5734483 (1998-03-01), Itoh
patent: 5801851 (1998-09-01), Sheng
patent: 6026261 (2000-02-01), Peng
Avision Inc.
Coles Edward
Hsu Winston
Safaipour Houshang
LandOfFree
Floating light source module for film scanners does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Floating light source module for film scanners, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Floating light source module for film scanners will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3133601